Physician Assistant Hourly Pay in Charleston, WV: $62.89 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physician assistant working in Charleston, WV runs $62.89 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $130,824 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Weighted against Charleston's regional price level (BEA RPP 88.7, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $70.89 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $78,488 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Charleston, West Virginia, the projected physician assistant hourly pay in 2026 stands at $62.89. This figure is slightly below the national median of $67.50, indicating a unique regional pay scale. For part-time professionals working three days a week, this hourly rate translates to approximately $2,000 per week, allowing for a comfortable lifestyle while providing flexibility. The hourly range for physician assistants in Charleston spans from $43.80 for entry-level positions to $81.68 for more experienced practitioners. These alarming figures are reflective of the various settings where physician assistants thrive, including operating rooms, hospital floors, and urgent care clinics, making this profession a viable option for both full-time and per diem roles.
Physician Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $43.80 | $350.38 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $54.75 | $437.99 |
| Median (P50) | $62.89 | $503.13 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $74.39 | $595.12 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $81.68 | $653.48 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Charleston
Based on $62.89/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $62.89/hr, a physician assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Charleston, WV can expect to earn approximately $130,813 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $75,469. With a cost-of-living index of 88.72 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Charleston.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Charleston
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,515.64 | $10,901 | $130,813 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,509.38 | $6,541 | $78,488 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,006.25 | $4,360 | $52,325 |
Compare PA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physician Assistant (Charleston) | $62.89 |
| Nurse Practitioner (National Avg) | $63.20 |
| Registered Nurse (National Avg) | $42.80 |
| Family Medicine Physician (National Avg) | $116.45 |
| Physical Therapist (National Avg) | $48.18 |
Physician Assistants in Charleston, WV earn a median of $130,824 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.81% lower than the national median of $140,391.
Physician Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $62.89/hr = $78,488/year (purchasing power: $88,470).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $130,813/year (purchasing power: $147,450).
CoL index: 88.717 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$48.62/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$60.87/hr
2026 Current Est.
$62.89/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+33.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Charleston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $48.62/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $51.76/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $48.69/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $50.30/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $58.52/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $54.05/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $60.87/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62.89/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64.98/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physician assistants in Charleston grew 25.2% from $48.62/hr (2019) to $60.87/hr (2025). At a 3.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $64.98/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem physician assistants can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Charleston metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.32% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Physician Assistant in Charleston
Considering earnings from different types of employment provides a comprehensive understanding of the financial landscape for physician assistants in Charleston. For those working part-time, a physician assistant putting in about 24 hours weekly would earn roughly $65,000 annually, significantly less than their full-time counterparts. Meanwhile, the per diem physician assistant pay in Charleston varies widely; those working through locum agencies can charge between $75 and $130 per hour, particularly in high-demand fields like orthopedics and emergency medicine, where 12-hour shifts can yield $900 to $1,400. This variation in hourly compensation underscores the diversity of employer types, from hospital systems offering W-2 positions to specialty clinics employing 1099 contractors. Job seekers should weigh the benefits of steady employment, including health insurance, against the potentially higher hourly earnings of locum work, which may lack such benefits. Negotiating an hourly rate can be advantageous in Charleston, especially when highlighting skills specific to high-demand specialties endorsed by the AAPA and NCCPA standards.
More salary data for Charleston, WV:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physician assistants in Charleston in 2026?
How much do part-time physician assistants make in Charleston?
Are physician assistants in Charleston paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time physician assistant make per year in Charleston?
Do physician assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Charleston?
Related Pages
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Written by Jessica Tran, MPAS, PA-C
Career Analyst
Jessica has 10 years of experience as a physician assistant. Her specialty is cardiology in an outpatient setting.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 3.32% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for physician assistants in Charleston. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.32%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for physician assistants (SOC 29-1071).
Compiled and verified by Jessica Tran, MPAS, PA-C, a licensed physician assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov